Send me a ☠ and I’ll write out my character’s last dying words to yours.
Tatia was well-aware of the fact she was dying. Having lived for a thousand years and died a thousand times before, she was no stranger to the feeling. However, there was a crucial difference - this was the last time. There would be no healing, no miraculous resurrection. Her thousand years old existence would finally reach its closure.
Her hands were shaking hands, and her quivering legs could fail her at any moment. Under any other circumstances, she would have retreated to a secluded place to give out her last breath. Preferably under a starry sky, surrounded by nature, far away from the constant commotion of the modern world. But there was one more thing she needed to do before allowing herself to pass on, one more person she needed to see.
If she had to be honest, Tatia was not afraid of death. On the contrary, she would welcome it as an old friend had it not been for Elijah. Death had already separated them one time in the past, causing a thousand years of difference between them. It took them some time to get past this once they had reunited; however, that distance was still an obstacle, one they could not move on from, no matter how much they tried.
And if that was the last opportunity for her to make things right with him, she needed to try.
You are running out of time.
Entering the Mikaelson mansion took her a lot of effort. To keep herself from falling, Tatia needed to steady herself with whatever she could find. But having a clear goal in her head made it easier for her to focus on holding to the last threads of life. Although her legs were quivering with almost every step, she finally managed to get to the parlour, already knowing he would be there.
Her voice was weak, but it was enough to grab his attention. It only took him a second to assess the situation and rush to her side, his arm supporting her fragile body.
❝Tatia! What is happening to you?❞
It felt nice to have his arm around her again. But instead of dwelling on the pleasant feeling, Tatia forced herself to look up to meet his eyes and swallow before continuing to speak. It was so difficult to find the right words to say... ❝I... I know that I've hurt you.❞
❝All those years ago... when I let your mother use me. For centuries I've tried to convince myself that it was the one selfless act I was capable of in my life...❞ she had to pause for a moment, allowing herself to take in a deeper breath. Her vision was beginning to get blurry. ❝But the truth is, I was selfish. I left you without as much as a word, and even after having come back to life... I let you believe I was dead.❞
❝Tatia, what is the meaning of this? Why are you speaking of this now?❞
❝Because I cannot die without apologising...❞ she said in a broken tone, almost as if she was pleading. Her eyes, although already clouded from the physical pain, still tried to pierce through his eyes, hoping to reach deep within him, hoping to reach the man who had once loved her.
❝No, you're not dying. You cannot be...❞ Elijah's grip on her got tighter as if his embrace was enough to keep her there just a little longer. But no matter what he did, all his efforts would be in vain.
Tatia smiled ever so slightly at him, forcing her body to produce enough strength so she could reach out to place a hand on his cheek. ❝It's okay... I've accepted it. It should have happened centuries ago. I... I knew the spell would kill me, but I accepted it.❞ Only at that moment, having recalled her first death, could Tatia feel tears slowly forming in her eyes ❝I'd caused you so much pain. And Niklaus...❞ recounting her mistakes was all it took for those tears to start streaming down her face. ❝I didn't want it to be like that,❞ she spoke, despite the gulp forming in her throat. ❝I loved you... I'm sorry... I was so blind I hadn't realised it back then...❞
It was at that moment her legs gave out. Had it not been for Elijah's embrace, she would have collapsed helplessly on the floor. But his grip remained strong; Elijah kneeled, gently helping Tatia lay on the carpet, still holding her in his arms. She was leaning on his lap, her teary eyes fixated on him as if she didn't even notice how weak her body was getting.
❝Shh... don't think about it now... tell me what I can do to help you.❞ his tone was desperate, knowing that there was nothing he could do.
❝I told myself I would find you... as soon as I learned to control it.❞ Had it not been for that weakness, Tatia's words would turn into sobbing. It was only at that moment that she allowed all those feelings she'd been pushing away for centuries to come and flood her. ❝But I never did. I was so afraid... that you would hate me.❞
❝I could never hate you,❞ he whispered, leaning in to press his forehead to hers. Closing his eyes so he wouldn't have to see her tears. ❝Not you...❞
❝I know... I have no right to ask for your forgiveness...❞ her voice was barely audible, and her vision was so blurry she could no longer make out his face, though it was right in front of her eyes.
❝Shh... of course I forgive you,❞ he said, without hesitation.
He would never know that she didn't get to hear it. Her senses got so weak... she knew it was the end. There would be no more chances to make things right. But maybe... maybe if the world came to an end... they could meet again.
❝Remember... I loved you.❞